I have a Janome Gem and love it, three of my quilting buddies just bought the dc1050 and all of them are raving about it. All are lightweight and used to take to quilting classes or our weekly group meetings. The dc1050 has features the Gem doesn't have that are really nice and it doesn't cost much more. Don't forget to buy the quarter inch foot to go with it.

Hi Annaquilts- thanks for your reply- I had so many nice responses....wondered if you had any more info on the quilters Package for the gold jem 660??? I did ask about a walking foot and was told they were about $50??? How do I find a table? that will fit? Dave Murray

Hi Annaquilts- thanks for your reply- I had so many nice responses....wondered if you had any more info on the quilters Package for the gold jem 660??? I did ask about a walking foot and was told they were about $50??? How do I find a table? that will fit? Dave Murray

This is where the art of negotation comes in. Tell the dealer that you are ready to buy if he will throw in the 1/4 inch foot (and anything else you might want). If he lets you walk out the door you know you have gotten his lowest price. I have the gem platinum and found the best price for the extension table made by Sew Steady online from Dreamworld Inc whose price was less than Sew Steady's.

Hello- I am a quilters husband and need help to chose a lightweight sewing machine for my wife of 48 years who is having trouble lifting and transporting her Janome 3000 to quilt meetings/classes etc. I would really appreciate some expert opinions on what to purchase for her Birthday in April...so far I have researched the Janome mechanical jem 660 and the computerized Janome dc1050....I would like to get her a light weight machine that works well on quilts...then maybe she can better convert her substancial stash and UFO's to quilts ha ha ...any and all comments would be appreciated....Dave Murray, Cape Cod MA

this is probably not the answer you want------------but ask her. I know I'd want what I want, not what someone else wants----------so give her a promissory note for her birthdasy that says you'll buy whatever she wants--------just let you know.

I don't know much about what machine to suggest but I totally agree with this statement! Not only are you planning to get her something she will like but you are taking the time to find out about it and even signing up on this board to get some input.

I agree with GrannieAnnie. Get your wife's input. Give her a homemade gift certificate then let her pick it out.

I remember one of my cousins was really upset at her husband when he surprised her with a new car. It was a stick shift and she only knew how to drive an automatic. It stalled out on her in an intersection and she got out of it and refused to drive it ever again. I know - extreme case but you get the idea.

I also agree that you are a sweet heart for wanting to get her a lighter machine.

I agree with GrannieAnnie. Get your wife's input. Give her a homemade gift certificate then let her pick it out.

I remember one of my cousins was really upset at her husband when he surprised her with a new car. It was a stick shift and she only knew how to drive an automatic. It stalled out on her in an intersection and she got out of it and refused to drive it ever again. I know - extreme case but you get the idea.

I also agree that you are a sweet heart for wanting to get her a lighter machine.

LOL, different strokes for different folks--------------I'd love a straight shift-------and the more it looked like a sports car, the better. 66 year old body in a 16 year old car frame of mind!

I own a Janome Gem and heartily support that machine - 12 pounds, does everything,etc. ANother reason to consider the Janome is that the feet she already has for the larger Janome should fit the smaller one - so there's no reason to buy all the extra feet unless you/she decides to have a duplicate set. Elna machines use the same feet as Janome, but I don't know if they have a light weight machine.